Page 21 of Jersey

"All gifts are special," he says. "Even if it's underwear and not a puppy."

"Ithink that's very responsible of you," I tell him before pointing back to the drawing. "What is this puppy's name?"

"Felix!" he says as if he already has the dog.

I know a child verbalizing how he would act if he was a little disappointed in a gift and how he'd actually react at the moment may be different, but talking about it before it happens may help him handle the situation a little better when he faces it.

A lot of times children act out in new situations because they don't know how to regulate their emotions or what's expected of them.

The session continues with us chatting back and forth. In his drawings, I don't see much concern. There's an overlap of water, and I'm not certain if that is because of the time he spends in the pool or if it has another meaning. In some drawings, the water seems to have a positive connotation and in others, the water seems ominous and dangerous.

I make a mental note to ask Nolan and Aspen about the water and see if bringing Kiva with me on my next visit would be okay. I know the old gal would love to get out of the house. I always feel so guilty leaving her behind for the day. When I have appointments in the office space I rent, I always bring her with me.

"I'm going to have to head home soon," I explain to Eli when the session is drawing to a close.

"Will I see you again soon?"

"Very soon. Can I get you to draw something for me?"

"Anything!" he says with a bounce in his little body.

"I want you to draw me your dreams."

He pulls in a deep breath before speaking. "The good or the bad ones."

"The good ones," I tell him with a gentle smile. "But if you have time to do the bad ones too, I'd like to see that."

Giving him the option to draw puts less stress on him, and I find that most kids will eventually put that down on paper for me when given an option.

"Okay," he says before turning back to his painting.

I stand and make my way across the room to Eli's parents.

"He really wants a puppy," I whisper when I first approach.

Nolan smiles as if he already has something in the works, but Aspen looks a little dubious.

"He's going to have an increase in nightmares," I begin, watching the way Nolan's back stiffens.

I can only imagine the man feels a little helpless because his son's nightmares are one of the few things that are outside of his control.

"Why?" the man asks.

"I tasked him with drawing about his good dreams, and it's inevitable that the bad dreams will increase before they get better. But it's a way to get the bad things on paper, which I told him he could draw for me as well."

"Why not just have him draw the bad ones first?" Nolan asks.

"It puts too much pressure on him. Has he had any problems with bedwetting?"

"No," Aspen answers quickly.

"That's good, but keep an eye out for that as well," I advise.

"We will," Nolan says as he steps closer to me, frowning when I instinctively take a step back to avoid him touching me. "I wanted to ask if everything is okay?"

I raise my eyebrows. Now is not the time to discuss my issues. I have a therapist for that. I'd never have that conversation with a client's parent.

"Why do you ask?"

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